Cessnock City Council received $583,800 in funding from the NSW Government for the Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) project, converting the office spaces of the former Morris Light furniture showroom into a 163 square metre gallery, including a retail area to buy local art, workshop space, commercial kitchen, wheelchair accessible entrance and art storage for artists.
Local history has been preserved and protected with elements of the former furniture showroom being
incorporated into the revival of the space, including the restoration of the historic pressed metal ceilings, steel frames, and tallowwood floors.
Curator of Creative and Performing Arts at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock Vicki Sienczuk said since the official opening in 2023 the art scene has been supported by giving locals a space to show their work, as well as making visiting exhibitions accessible to the broader community.
“Exhibitions by both local and visiting artists have provided the Cessnock community with a great opportunity to see and appreciate works of art that they might not be able to appreciate without travelling out of the area,” Ms Sienczuk said.
“The gallery provides opportunities for artists to be nurtured, promote their work and provide exposure to a broader audience looking for great art experiences.”
Award-winning Artist Michele Heibel, whose works are permanently exhibited at the gallery, said the restoration and inclusion of the black steel building supports ensures the gallery has a character of its own.
“It has been wonderful to see exhibitions take form in the new PACC gallery – a well thought out, centrally located and easily accessible space that can accommodate a diverse range of mediums,” Ms Heibel said.
The Performance Arts Culture Cessnock gallery can be found at 202 Vincent Street, Cessnock.
For more information, go to: www.mypacc.com.au
